We got an early start this morning hoping for that tailwind that the Weather Channel predicted. We took a quick shot of the hotel and headed out.
It turned out that the tailwind was in our face the entire morning. Once again, the day started with a climb. I thought that my legs were just stiff and then I checked the altimeter and noticed that we had been climbing. Right before the crest of the hill, we could see a windfarm.

We were rewarded with a nice 6% downhill, which lasted for three miles. I used to let it rip going down hills, but I think that what used to be a thrill for me has turned into possible terror. Maybe it’s old age, but I wouldn’t go faster than 32 mph. At least the fast downhill helped increase the rather low average speed that resulted from the climbing.

We had 40 miles of nothingness and no shade. There was a restroom in the middle of nowhere at the junction of vastness and aridness. I wanted to eat half a bagel, but didn’t find the prospect of eating next to the pits too enticing, although there was a bit of shade.

This stop was only 12 miles from Pomeroy, the first town of the day, which was smaller than Dayton. We saw a sign for free iced tea and thought it would be a good spot for lunch. The dining area at the back of the store was set up with fine china and place holders. None of the names on the placards were ours. The entire dining area had been reserved for high tea. At least we got our glass of berry iced tea and asked where else we might be able to find a place to have lunch. The owners recommended the Sage Brush Grill, which was just right outside of town. Just after we sat down, we saw a guy pulling a BOB pass by. He came into the restaurant and sat down and we asked him join us. Tom was from South Dakota and doing the Lewis and Clark cycling route in sections. He had started yesterday in Lewiston and had already climbed up over Alpowa Summit earlier this morning. He told us that we would have an easier time of it going in our direction. Tom had planned to cycle today to Dayton, where we stayed last night. It was 40 miles away and considering that it was already 80 degrees and that he had that 6% uphill grade to conquer, we were really impressed that he would even attempt such long mileage on his first day out. Thunderstorms are forecast for the day and it seems to be clouding up and looking nasty right now. We sure hope that Tom made it there without too much pain or decided to stop at the RV park that was along the way, although that was four miles off the highway.
I was bad and ordered a milkshake, which I haven’t had for ages. I figured that since I had cranked up that hill today that I could indulge in such decadence.

We said our goodbyes and headed to our lodging in Pataha, just a few miles down the road from Pomeroy. This is where we reached our lodging for the night, the Pataha Flour Mill, which has several houses set up hostel-style. We are the only people staying in the house tonight.
Jon is the person who runs this interesting place and I will be putting up a podcast soon that describes what he has done with this fascinating property.

Luckily, this place has laundry facilities and a full kitchen. Best of all, there is internet access. We were fortunate to run into Bob, a computer guru, who just happened to run WinDoc for us. This computer boots up so slowly, but we have gotten used to waiting forever. It will be interesting to see how quickly it shuts down and starts up in the future.
We will be eating dinner here tonight, which will be an interesting experience. Meals here are done on a donation basis, which supports this project.

[display_ podcast]
Listen to Jon and learn more about the Pataha Flour Mill.
Podcast produced by Robert and Theresa Russell
Edited by Erik Russell
Intro music Cluck Ole Hen arranged by Bandjoe
Outro Tall Fiddler arranged by Deyo
Logo designed by Laura Ross
Copyright 2007